FORD ECO-TOWN: Protest goes to Number 10

A PETITION of more than 10,000 signatures against the plans for an eco-town in Ford has finally been handed over to the government.

Representatives from campaign group Communities Against Ford Eco-town (CAFE) made the trip to the capital last Thursday and handed in the petition at Number 10 Downing Street.

The government's plan is to build at least 5,000 houses on greenfield land in Ford.

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CAFE co-chairman and Yapton resident Terry Knott said: "We have fought long and hard to persuade the housing minister Ford is not the right place for a so-called eco-town.

"We endorse eco-friendly housing as much as anyone, but it must have the local infrastructure to support it.

"Ten thousand people have signed our petition to say they agree with us. In six months of canvassing and talking to local communities, the only people in favour worked for the developers. Our visit to 10 Downing Street aimed to reinforce our consistent message '“ we don't want an eco-town at Ford."

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb and Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert were also on the trip with the campaigners.

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Mr Herbert said: "Ten thousand is a huge number of signatures for a rural part of the world and it reflects the strength of local feeling against the eco-town.

"I just wish the government would listen to the elected local councils and people in West Sussex rather than keep dismissing their views as though the local community doesn't matter."

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